(www.sass-pants.com) — As American Heart Month comes to a close, Diet Coke offered me the chance to run a great giveaway targeted toward raising awareness of heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women in America. The prize? A limited-edition crystal Diet Coke Red Dress Pin, designed by Heidi Klum, for five (5) lucky readers. Scroll to the end of the post for details on how to win. Read the middle for more on heart disease and The Heart Truth.
About the Campaign
The Heart Truth is a national awareness campaign created by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), that warns women about their No. 1 health risk, heart disease, and the need to take action against its risk factors. As the national symbol for women and heart disease, the Red Dress aims to inspire women to take action to protect their heart health. For more information, visit www.hearttruth.gov.
About Heart Disease
According to the NHLBI, important risk factors for heart disease that you can change are:
- High blood pressure
- High blood cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Being overweight
- Being physically inactive
Although they’re not things you can do anything about, age and family history are also major risk factors for heart disease. The NHLBI says that while certain risk factors cannot be changed, it is important to realize that you do have control over many others. Regardless of your age, background, or health status, you CAN lower your risk of heart disease — and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Protecting your heart can be as simple as taking a brisk walk, whipping up a good vegetable soup, or getting the support you need to maintain a healthy weight.
For tips on how to create a heart-healthy lifestyle, visit the American Heart Association.
About the Giveaway
Five lucky winners will be chosen at random from the comments on this post to receive a limited-edition crystal Diet Coke Red Dress Pin (pictured at right), designed by Heidi Klum. (Heidi wore the pin on the red carpet at the Academy Awards this week!) The hourglass shape is intended to remind women that it’s time to get educated about heart disease.
To enter, just leave a comment on this post sharing one heart-healthy lifestyle change you’re going to make.
Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2009, and 11:59:59 p.m. EST.
Simple, right? Go to it.
The Fine Print
- Comments like, “Give it to me!” or “I want to win!” ARE NOT ELIGIBLE. You have to answer the question.
- One entry per person, and yes, I do check IP addresses to remove duplicates.
- You must be a US resident to enter. No shipping outside the United States, not even to Canada. Sorry!
- Comments must be received by Friday, March 6, 2009, at 11:59:59 p.m. EST
- I will use the random sequence generator at Random.org to choose the lucky winner (who will be the first eligible entry in the sequence). The announcement of the winner will be FINAL. No arguing.
Good luck!
Contents Copyright © 2009 Kristen King
The Heart Truth and Red Dress are trademarks of DHHS.
{ 10 comments… read them below or add one }
I’d like to start walking more
Ginny’s last blog post..Raising Freethinkers A Practical Guide for Parenting Beyond Belief
Does drinking more red wine, count?
I bought a Wii Fit, and as soon as my foot is totally weight bearing again, I’ll start with the yoga and then work my way through the remainder of the exercises. No reason it cant be fun, too!
Mary Jo’s last blog post..How to Spend Ground Time at Salt Lake City International Airport
I have sleep apnea and am very concerned about its effect on my heart. After two years of graduate school and not exercising, I am back to the gym and trying to work exercise into my life however I can. I’m also working on improving my diet, but one step at a time or I get discouraged and quit!
Nice contest, Kristen.
laurie’s last blog post..Rouler
I’m eliminating all foods to which I am sensitive, not just the ones convenient to eliminate. The latter are walnuts, barley (okay, beer & bourbon), and scallops. They’ve been fairly easy. The next three are tougher, cocoa, dairy, and wheat. They make my system retain water and keep me sluggish because I’m always taking anti-allergy pills. Has to be easier on my system if not my menu planning and restaurant dining.
Oh I want this–how adorable and such a nice reminder of something so important!
I’ve been making more heart-healthy changes over the past few years. I eat well and exercise regularly. I am going to get my blood checked so I’m aware of my cholesterol levels. I hate needles, but I know it needs to be done!!!
Kristen Fischer’s last blog post..Job Hunting: Should You Stop Trying So Hard?
Diet, cut back on salt, exercising…
I would like to walk 30 minutes a day. It would be even better if I could get my husband to join me.
I’m cutting back on eating meat. My husband is a vegan and although I haven’t gotten to that yet I truly have modified my diet. Thanks for having the wonderful giveaway.
I’m reducing my fat intake and increasing my exercise by 10 minutes a day. I already exercise, but a little more is a good idea, right?
Lori’s last blog post..Self-inflicted Depression
I have new knees and started to walk 5 miles a day.